by Cassandra King
Even though most of the nation is coping with severe cold snaps and rain storms, this has little bearing on retailers, who are displaying shipments of spring wares. Back in September, major fashion houses were showing their spring lines and even though spring is barely here, fashion lines are already in production with their fall 2010 offerings. Crazy isn’t it? It’s so hard to keep up. Most of us are too busy to pour over designer sites, the New York Times fashion section, magazines, and countless blogs. Well, have no fear. All you need to know to get yourselves ready for spring 2010 is right here.
Although the New Year’s Eve ball already dropped earlier this month, you can catch the top ten countdown of spring trends below. Starting with number ten.
10. the boyfriend blazer – The boyfriend blazer is still going strong. Pair it with skinny jeans, fitted tops, or sweet skirts. Wear the trend with: boyfriend sweater.
9. patterns and prints – Graphics are bold and busy this season. Pants and dresses dominated the runways showcasing these styles. With the onset of spring, we can always expect to see floral prints. In addition to the posies, designers also debuted strips and abstract artsy prints. Wear the trend with: rumi, monet, moderne, jenny, pleated knit, purple watercolor, malaga, navy wrap, speckle, flocked zebra, abstraction, pink watercolor, butterfly, watercolor, erica, tropicale, and zig zag.
8. denim and chambray – Think soft blues that look broken in. Shredded, ripped, torn, or patched, jeans are sexy and revealing. Invest in this look, it will inevitably keep going long past the season.
7. futuristic warrior, military, and tribal - Military is the new classic and has been evolving. Elements of military history are being reinterpreted with a modern, futuristic twist. Think wilder and more fierce with inspiration coming from ancient Rome, Egypt, and the Celtic warrior. Look for metal plating, leather tunics, and tribal inspired motifs in clothing and accessories. Mix these elements with glamorous pieces such as sequins or pair soft flowing fabric with sharp metal plating or studded pieces. Wear this trend with: tribal bracelet, graham petal charm, graham leather wrap, rockstar clutch, and sario clutch.
6. knee high and over the knee socks - Socks are back in the forefront and can add volumes to your outfit. As a defining look, socks are transeasonal and will carry on into winter of 2010.
5. see-through and sheer – Not everyone is gutsy enough to go with this look. We blame it on the rising temperatures and the desire to show off. Be sassy, yet cool. Style tip: match sheer tops with lacy camisoles or tanks. Neutral shades work best. Wear this trend with: ruffle mini and gigi ruffle.
4. urban sporty – Sportswear is suddenly streetwear. It’s sexy, svelte, and effortless with it’s youthful tomboy chic . Designers take inspiration from tennis, football, baseball, golf, and dance.
3. jumpsuits and boy shorts - There’s a one piece clothing revival and anything goes when it comes to length. It’s all about jumpsuits, playsuits, and rompers. Though not for everyone, it offers you plenty of options. It’s also time to hit the gym now that hemlines are shorter than ever. Shorter-than-short is the new mantra with hot pants and boy shorts back in style. Wear this trend: madeira romper.
2. minimalist. Less is more and this is true for spring. Imagine collections from designers like Calvin Klein, Jill Sander, Miuccia Prada, and Giorgio Armani. There is no better way to ring in spring than to be fresh, simple, and clean. Wear this trend with: habutai silk, palomar, vanderbilt, lita, gwen, lada, and rose.
1. ruffles – Whether on handbags, sandals, tops, or skirts, this ultra-feminine trend is everywhere. Wear this trend with: jaime, marble, newport, envy, emma, ruffle, gigi ruffle, side ruffle, and ruffle mini.
color watch – Break away from the bleak black and gray of winter. Green, pink, blue, indigo, and yellow are great colors to liven up your wardrobe.
There you have it ladies, now go and get it!
about the author – Cassandra King is owner and CEO of Concepts de Mode, a fashion consulting and image management firm in San Francisco. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Cassandra at (925) 360-4707 or on the web, at Cassandra@conceptsdemode.com.
(Photography by Marie Padilla & Ryan Gabriel | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com| Modeled by Abby Nyema, Denise Ammon, Loralei Rose Bingamon, and Molly Pool.)
